Sterile Gloves & Gowns - Extension Veterinary Medicine –aevm.tamu.edu/files/2011/09/Chapter14_Lesson5.pdf · Sterile Gloves & Gowns ... Open gloving is used when the surgeon will

Chapter 14 - Assisting With Surgery 311

Chapter 14 - Lesson 5

Sterile Gloves & Gowns

Introduction

Surgeons and assistants must wear sterile surgical gloves to perform aseptic operations. Surgical gloves are commercially supplied as ready-to-wear, sterile pairs in sealed paper packages. Gloves should be used once and then disposed of properly.

Gloving Techniques

Gloves may be put on in either an open or closed fashion. Closed gloving is used when the surgeon will be wearing a sterile surgical gown. Open gloving is

used when the surgeon will be performing a minor procedure without wearing a gown.

Putting on the Sterile Surgical Gown

When putting on the sterile gown, avoid touching the front surface of the gown and keep the gown from touching any object. Remove the gown from the autoclaved bundle, hold it at the neck, and allow it to unroll. With the back of the gown toward the wearer, carefully shake out and unfold it. While the assistant holds the collar at the left tie string with the right hand, the wearer inserts the left arm into the sleeve.

Surgeons and assistants must wear sterile gloves and gowns.

Chapter 14 - Assisting With Surgery312

Then while the assistant holds the collar at the right tie string with the left hand, the wearer inserts the right arm into the sleeve. While awaiting the assistant to tie and adjust the gown, the wearer keeps both arms extended upward. When tying the gown, the assistant stands directly behind the gown wearer, places his/her hands only on the shoulders and inside of the gown and does not touch the sides or front of the gown. The surgical gown is considered sterile in the front chest area and from the wrist to the elbow.

After gowning, the surgical operators are ready to glove. Procedures for putting on sterile gloves using the closed gloving technique are as follows:

1. Having the outside glove wrapper open before scrubbing allows the surgeon to lift the left glove with his/her right hand, holding the glove by the turned down cuff. This prevents touching of the outside surface of the glove.

2. Without unfolding the cuff, place the left hand into the glove while the right hand carefully pulls the glove up, leaving the cuff turned down.

3. The left gloved hand then reaches under the turned down cuff of the right glove and steadies it while inserting the right hand.

4. Then, by reaching under the turned down cuff, the wearer can pull the glove up snugly and unfold the cuff up over each wrist and sleeve of the gown.

Reference

Bassert, J. M., & McCurnin, D. M. (2010). McCurnin’s clinical textbook for veterinary technicians (7th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Saunders Elsevier.

Questions

1. Describe the closed gloving technique.2. Who ties the sterile surgical gown? From

what position is this accomplished?3. What areas of the surgical gown are considered

sterile?4. When is the open glove technique used?

Activity

1. Practice the aseptic method for putting on surgical gloves.

After gowning, the surgeon is gloved.